Remember being a kid when it was acceptable to pretend and use your unhindered imagination? The Children’s Play Village is this, personified.
To be honest, I couldnโt really until I stepped into the world of the Childrenโs Play Village in Warwickshire this morning. In a flash, I was transported back to a time when I wanted to be a hairdresser or work in a post office or a supermarket. Or run a tea shop or be a teacher or a vet. It was as remarkable as it was magical.
The Childrenโs Play Village is a project that owners Alan and Shelley have been working on for about two years. Iโm sure they wouldnโt object if I called it a โlabour of loveโ. They have faced each (& pretty frequent) obstacle with persistence, determination and flexibility. The result is a truly enchanting experience that balances real life and authenticity with childhood wonder and innocence. From the
Hairdressers to the Emergency Room and the Builderโs Yard to the Tea Rooms the attention to detail is mind-blowing. Allan gave us a tip to bend down as we looked around. When we got down to a childโs eye level, we found treasures like a post office sorting system, cash desks with keyboards, weighing machines, hand-sewn brown paper grocery bags, little seats, shopping trolleys and so much more.
It doesnโt look like a usual play centre for kids because it isnโt. As much thought has gone into the experience as the buildings and props. Sessions are structured, and trained playmakers are present in all play slots to ensure that the children make the most of the village facilities as they explore and interact. Advocates of playful learning and making treasured memories, it is as thoughtful as it is creative.
There literally isnโt one detail missing (which is where we proudly and happily come in if you were wondering). As a previous client, Shelley came to us just as they were planting the Childrenโs Play Village seed and gave us a designerโs dream project! From the offset, we could unleash our illustration talent in full force creating the bespoke logo and all of the village signage. At the beginning of the project, Shelley discussed the branding with Warwick and Dave and found herself in a bit of a quandary. She wanted to achieve โrealisticโ but also โcreativeโ, โyoungerโ and โfunโ. Working closely together, with lots of phone calls, pop-ins and a very early site visit, we were able to develop a unique brand that sums up the beauty and originality of Childrenโs Play Village. When we looked around today, it had all come together perfectly. The same attention to detail that makes the village so amazing continues in all of the design. We even developed icons for each village building which had the added benefit of bringing the educational and fun element to the Post Office. From the medical information signs and the tea room menu to the hairdressing qualification certificate and the hairdresser’s โelectronicโ booking system it creates a complete, sensory experience.
The website takes the brand and feel of the Children’s Play Village and provides all of the information that a prospective visitor could need. Using excellent quality photography, it takes the browser on a tour of the play centre showcasing its incredible selling points and enticing the visitor to make that booking and convert any voyeurs.
A project this size has needed close project management and Shelley and Alan have worked so hard and appreciated our prompt response times, ideas, problem solving and overall contribution. In Shelleyโs words:
“Adventure has been the easiest to work with, and it has been so important to know that what we ask just gets done. Itโs made such a difference.โ
We have enjoyed working on this project as much, and we know the little kids of the West Midlands (& their parents and carers) will relish the magic of the Childrenโs Play Village.
Long live imagination & creativity.
You can visit the website here: www.childrensplayvillage.co.uk
